Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 19,297, Roger French, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
French, Roger Achshah
19297
CONTENTS

18821  Vermont Roger French of Windso Co in the State of Vermont who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain _____ of the Regt commanded by Col Carpenter in the Northern line for 7 mos.
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 23 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 5 day of October 1833 and sent to J. E. Wales Barnard Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833. $ 58.33 Semi-ant. allowance ending March 31 11-66 $70.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk, Book 2 Vol. 3 Page 65

5389
Vermont _____ m.
Achsah French
widow of Roger French
who served in the Revolutionary
N. H.
war, as a private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
23 — Dollars 33 —
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1848 23 rd August 1850
Certificate of Pension issued the
Seventh day of March 1851 and sent to
Orl Billings Woodstock Vermont
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 53 Vol. 3
Certificate correction issued to Orl Billings, Woodstock Vt. Sept 3. 1851

Roger French
N o 5451.

STATE OF VERMONT, WINDSOR COUNTY, ss.
On this ninth day of August A. D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Judge of the Probate Court of Windsor District now sitting, Roger Frenche a resident of the county of Windsor and State of Vermont, aged seventy two years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. That he entered the service of the United States in the Massachusetts Troops the last of March or first of April, in 1776 in Col. John Hathaway's Regiment and served one month at Kingston in the State of Rhode Island - I was drafted and served under Capt Ephraim Hathaway in Col. Carpenter's Regiment of the Massachusetts line my service commenced the 1st of August 1777 I served this time one month this was at North Kingston in the State of Rhode Island - The residue of my service was on alarm - These services were under Capt Babbitt in Col. Hathaway's Regiment - was called on at three different times, and He calls this service two months which was performed in the years 1777 & 1778 - Went a privateering in the Brig Washington commanded by Capt Powers of Boston He sailed the first of January 1783 - Received the news of peace at Boston when we arrived in April of the same year I had belonged to this vessel a month previous to sailing - and was in the voyage about about four months - - Was in service at West Point three months in the year 1781 in Capt John Buller's Company Col Luke Dowsing's Regiment in the Massachusetts line -

He was born the 18th of September in the year 1760 at Berkeley County of Bristol in a state of Massachusetts —
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State.
Sworn to and subscribed the } day and year aforesaid. }
Rog s French
J. Marsh, Register
We, Preston Taylor a Clergyman residing in Barnard and Samuel Richmond residing in the same place, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Roger French who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 72 years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the } day and year aforesaid. }
Preston Taylor Sam l Richmond
J. Marsh, Register
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Preston Taylor who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman, resident in Barnard and that Sam l Richmond who has also signed the same, is a resident in Barnard and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Lyndon Marsh Register of the Court of Probate of the District of Hartford do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Roger French for a Pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this ninth day of August A. D. 1832
J. Marsh Register

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston, November 27 th 1850.
I hereby Certify , That at the date of the annexed attestation Nathaniel Townsend was a justice of the Peace for the county of Bristol,
in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and qualified; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
W. H. Waldo
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Berkley Octo 17 th 1850
December the Second Day, eight seven hundred and eighty-eight Roger French and Abigail Folsom both of Berkley was Married by Samuel Folsom Justice of the Peace Stephen Burt } Town Clerk
I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true extract of Record
Attest Nathaniel G Townsend } Town Clerk of Berkley Massachusetts
I Nathaniel G Townsend above named depose testify and say that I hold the Office of Town Clerk in and for the said Town of Berkley in the County Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts and that the above is a extract from the record of said Town
Attest Nath l G Townsend } Town Clerk of said Berkley
Commonwealth of Mass { Sworn to and subscribed at Berkley Bristol County ss This 17 th day of October 1850
Before Me Nath l Townsend } Justice of the Peace

State of Vermont Hartford District
On this 4 th day of October A.D. 1850 personally appeared before the Hon d the Probate Court of the District of Hartford A.D. Achsah French a resident of Barnard in said District aged 81 years who being first sworn according to law, doth on her Oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed on the 2 d day of February 1848. granting pensions to Widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War;
That she is the Widow of Roger French late of said Barnard deceased, who was a Soldier in the Revolutionary War, and served as such in his declaration made under the Act of Congress of June 7. 1832. and drew a pension of $23.33 per annum to March 4 th 1850. and who died on the 23 d day of August 1850. aged 90 years.
She further declares that before marriage her name was Achsah Tobey and that she was married to said Roger French her late husband at Berkley Mass on the 2 d day of December 1788 by Samuel Tobey Esq. a Justice of the Peace. and she supposes there is a record of her marriage aforesaid in the Town Clerks office of said Berkley, and she has also a family record in a small book, made by her said husband in his own hand writing, of their marriage, births, deaths &c.
She further declares that she still is a widow
Achsah French
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year first above written
Before me J. H. D. Smith Judge

State of Vermont Hartford District
I Lyndon A. Marsh Register of the Court of Probate of the District of Hartford holding at Woodstock in and for said District. do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the Original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Achsah French Widow of Roger French for a pension.
I further certify that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited to said Court that said Roger French was a pensioner of the United States at the rate of $23.33 per annum was a resident of Barnard in the County of Windsor and State of Vermont and died in said town of Barnard in the year 1850 on the 23 d day of August. that he left a widow whose name is Achsah French, the signer of the foregoing declaration.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of office at Woodstock this 4 th day of October A D 1850
L. A. Marsh, Register,

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 19297 Abigail French widow of Roger French Pris New-Was
Act: Feb 2 nd 48
Index:—Vol. 14 Page 254
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Personally appeared before the undersigned a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Windsor and State of Vermont Roger French who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory he cannot positively swear as to the precise length of his service but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the period mentioned below and in the following grades For one month I served as a soldier in April 1776 in Col. Hathaway, Regiment of Massachusetts Troops. For one month I served as a soldier in August 1777 under Capt Ephr. Hathaway in Col. Carpenter's Regiment in the Massachusetts Troops -
For two months I served as a soldier in Capt Babbitt's Company and Col. Hathaway, Regiment. in the years 1777 & 1778 -
For three months I served as a soldier at Westpoint in Capt John Cuthbert's Company & Col. Luke Druery's Regiment in the year 1781. And for such service I claim a pension - May 23 d 1833
Rog d French
Geo. E. Wales Justice of the Peace Hudson F. June 1833 I certify that Geo. E. Wales is a Justice of the Peace for Windsor County Thomas Evans
Roger French of Barnard in the County of Windsor and State of Vermont in explanation of his declaration made on the 23 d day of May 1833 being duly sworn deposes and says that he is not positive but that he is under a mistake in claiming any service as being rendered and done by him in the year 1778 in Capt Babbitt's Company & Col. Hathaway's Regiment, and which is stated in his amended declaration as being two months service in Capt Babbitt's Company & Col. Hathaway's Regiment and as being performed in 1777 & 1778 -
He states positively that he performed the service of two months, and on reflection is satisfied that said service was in the year 1777 -
Rog d French

Regiment in the year 1781. and for other services
Claim a pension - May 23 d 1833
Roger French
Geo. E. Walis Justice of the Peace. Hudson Vt. June 1833 I certify that Geo. E. Walis is a Justice of the Peace for Windsor County Thomas Evans
Roger French of Barnard in the County of Windsor and State of Vermont in explanation of his declaration made on the 23 d day of May 1833 being duly sworn deposes and says that he is not positive but that he is under a mistake in claiming any service as being rendered and done by him in the year 1778 in Capt Dabbits Company 1 st Col. Halthaway's Regiment, and which is stated in his amended declaration as being two months service in Capt Dabbits Company 1 st Col. Halthaway's Regiment and as being performed in 1777 & 1778 -
He states positively that he performed the service of service of two months; and on reflection is satisfied that said service was in the year 1777 - Roger French
State of Vermont
Windsor County ss. Barnard Sept. 10. 1833 -
Then personally appeared Roger French of Barnard in said County of Windsor and made solemn Oath that the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed contains the truth and nothing but the truth -
Deformed
George E. Walis Jus. Peace

Admit-
James
46.66 11.66 58.33
J.E. Wales Esq Barnard vt

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement,  showing the Service of
Deager French
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.              
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted: This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of } On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) , with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers :
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(h) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
Will not be to make so general and

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[14] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[15] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[16] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[17] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[18] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
“Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____; For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension.”
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the service rendered. The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years, or three years, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[19] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[20] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[21] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[22] The Court must fix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[1] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[2] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule is same as that required to continental troops only.
[3] The traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[4] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[5] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
This objection is not removed. He must state how long he was in service in each term in 1777 & 78. He concludes an interrogation as that he served 8 mos

Woodstock Ct. Augt. 26. 1857
Sir
I enclose the within certificate of Asahel French widow of Roger French for a pension that the date of the commencement of the pension may be made correct and altered to August 23. 1850 instead of 1851. Please forward it back immediately as she wants to draw the 4 th of Sept next having as yet drawn nothing.
I am Respectfully your Obedt. Servt. Col. Billings
Col. Jas E. Heath Command of Pensions Washington City D.C.

Achsa French, widow of Roger, fl.
Act 2 Feb 1848
Maria 1788 Was d o 23 Augt 1850
Adv o 7 mos p re £23 93 per annum, com g 23 Augt 1850
Montpelier
Col Billings, Woodstock, fl.

Woodstock Ct Dec 3 d 1850
Sir.
I forward the declaration of Achsah French Widow of Roger French in order to obtain a Pension under the acts of February 2 d 1848.
I am Respectfully your Ob st Serv. W. H. Billings
Col. J. L. Edwards Comm d of Pensions Washington City D. C.

Francis White
Esq.
Dear Sir,
I have
the
honour
to
be
of
the
kind
of

I Francis White a Woodstock County of Wincisor & State of Vermont of lawfull age testify & say that I was acquainted with Roger French in 1741 & know that the said French was in the service of the united three months at West point in Capt John Butler Company in Col Luke Drenery Regiment State Troops that I served in the same Company during said time — — — — — Further Deponent saith not
Francis White
State of Vermont } Woodstock August Wincisor County } 7th AD 1832 Then Francis White personally appeared & made solemn oath that the above affi- -davit by him subscribed contains the truth & nothing but the truth before me & I hereby certify that the said Francis White is a credible Witness — — — — —
Walter Palmer Justice of peace
State of Vermont } Woodstock County Clerks Office Augt. 9th 1832 Wincisor County } I Benjamin Swan Clerk of Wincisor County Court do hereby certify that Walter Palmer is one of the Justices of the Peace within said County, and that the above is his signature In Testimony whereof I hereunto affix the seal of said Court & subscribe my name the day & year above. — Benj. Swan